Naeba Prince Hotel

Great ski school

We stayed at the Prince Hotel Naeba over New Year's with our family (2 adults, 16yo and 11yo). We're an active Australian family but relatively new to skiing, having only skied once before. Some of the reviews on this site have been a little alarming but there was no trace of the shining vibes when we went. Perhaps it’s a different vibe in the summertime but it was bustling during the winter. We stayed in building 6 on level 15 in a larger family room. This was a really large space by Japanese standards. PROS: - Stunning location with incredible snow conditions - Rooms are cosy with great mountain views (we could watch skiers and even fireworks from our window) - Excellent ski school (Sherpa snow) with English-speaking instructors (shoutout to Eileen who was fantastic with kids) - Multiple restaurant options within the complex - Beautiful night skiing with lit slopes - Less "Australianised" than some other Japanese ski resorts - Convenient ski-in/ski-out access CONS: - Very busy during peak times with long queues for everything (rentals, restaurants, even lifts) - Limited English spoken outside the international ski school - Hotel restaurants are pricey compared to local options in town - Complex is huge (6+ buildings, 1,220 rooms) and can be confusing to navigate TIPS: - Ski early morning or evening to avoid day-tripper crowds - Eat breakfast around 9:30am when queues are shorter - Consider walking into town for dinner - better value and quality - Book ski lessons and equipment rental in advance. Make sure you fill in the form accurately when renting your skis and be careful when translating Aussie shoe sizes to cm. Your ski boots and skis will be adjusted to this size and they won’t be checked. It’s too busy. - Allow extra time for everything - queues are part of the experience - Download a translation app as English is limited - If travelling with kids, request a room with a view of the slopes - great entertainment! - Best hot chocolate can be found at the food truck outside Building 6 - worth seeking out! The size of the complex (22 restaurants and over 1,200 rooms) means it can feel overwhelming at first, but you quickly get used to it. While the language barrier can be challenging outside of the ski school, staff are invariably helpful and patient with non-Japanese speakers. Worth noting that we were particularly fortunate during the 2024 season to experience exceptional early snow conditions. This isn't always guaranteed in this area of Japan, so it's worth checking historical snow reports when planning your trip timing. Not just for skiers! Even if you're not hitting the slopes, there's plenty to do. The resort offers wonderful opportunities for snow play - we had great fun building snowmen, having snow fights, and making snow angels. The deep powder snow is perfect for these activities, and there are plenty of areas around the resort where you can safely enjoy the winter wonderland experience. Perfect for: Families looking for a genuine Japanese ski experience rather than an "Aussies abroad" atmosphere. Suitable for beginners through to intermediate skiers, as well as non-skiers who just want to enjoy the snow.

Though the rooms and buildings are old and need improvements. The cleanliness and service are there. The hotel looks after their guests well. The amenities in the rooms and after a long day of skiing are good.

Had a great time

Ok for the price. Needs some updating. River view should read car park view.

It's ironic that Shelley Duvall just passed away, as I find myself entering what could only be the backup location for "The Shining." As you cross over the perimeter moat into the main compound, the large multi-building prison structure looms over your car, making you worry whether you are being committed against your will. But alas, the horror doesn’t stop at the exterior architecture. The room decor transports you back to the grim, joyless Soviet era, complete with the charming ambiance of a Cold War bunker. The dim lighting only highlights the numerous flaws, making the entire place feel like a set piece from a horror movie. Stained carpets, scuffed walls, a steady unrelenting sound of the toilet dripping, a scribbled note from the previous occupant pleading for help, air conditioning wheezing on its last breath and a filthy vanity stool, all this await you. Even the patient PJs provided make you feel more like an inmate than a guest. Peeling wall paper mark the last remaining remnants of any sound proofing for the paper thin walls, ensuring you hear every scream, cry, and argument from your neighbors, sleep has been an elusive dream. The WiFi signal, if you can even call it that, is barely hanging on, making it impossible to reach the outside world. Despite being told the hotel is at capacity, I find myself wandering unlit empty hallways. Conflicting signs point around the corridors if only there was a white rabbit to lead me to the exit. I will cry myself to sleep tonight bathed in the persistent rhythmic glow of the un-programmed centre console, as I wait for Jack Nicholson to come tapping at the door. Perhaps I have always been here, trapped in this nightmare.

Send help. I have cried myself to sleep every night. I have spent my entire life savings on this holiday only to feel like I have been submitted to life imprisonment by the regime. Entering the hotel lobby feels like setting foot in a rundown bus station. The moment I stepped into the elevator, a harsh smell overwhelmed my senses. As I walked down the hallway, I noticed a partially open door in another room, catching a glimpse of something horrifying... I desperately hoped it wasn't real. Despite holding onto a glimmer of hope, my worst fears were confirmed when I entered my room. The room's decor resembles a 1970s swingers party set during the Great Depression, complete with stains and odors. The faces of the other breakfast attendees display a profound absence of emotion, signifying a deep melancholy. However, the desolation evoked by the food being served surpasses the sadness observed in their expressions. Sitting on the edge of my bed, I survey the room, trying to avoid imagining the true nature of the stains. However, my imagination stubbornly persists. The stains on the floor are starting to look like faces, the faces are telling me to get out, alas I cannot escape this holiday that is de-escalating into a nightmare. Each passing day is marked with anticipation as I eagerly await my departure from this place. However, an unsettling notion lingers within me, as if the hotel itself is consuming my vitality, causing me to age at an inexplicable rate. The corridors of this establishment are filled with guests who seem to drift aimlessly, resembling ethereal figures condemned to traverse these halls for all of eternity. None ever smile or convey any notion of joy. It begs the question: Is this place truly a hotel, or rather a prison in disguise? Is that the sound of a broken toilet or the final gasps of this imposing brutalist giant? Will I ever escape? It feels like I've been here for an eternity already. Is this the "shining"? Have I always been the caretaker? Send help.

I also cried myself to sleep and it’s not even bedtime. I can’t wait to escape. I wistfully look out the window in the direction of the tents on the hill. I wish I had a tent like the people on the hill, maybe they’ve been here before. As night draws nearer I am grateful for the flash light in the wardrobe as the room gloom of the dim lighting descends upon my hard mattress. I wish I had paid for data…. Help.

Pretty good

Great location because right next to Mt naeba ski area. Hotel is a bit aged but sufficient. Ski rental, gear shop, convenience shop all within complex and no need to walk outdoor for these. Restaurants are plenty and most didn't need reservations (you could). Only thing the shuttle bus service is a bit less frequent than expected. But on the day we checked out the hotel arranged two buses due to popular demand, which was appreciated. Overall a pleasant stay and it is a good, kid friendly hotel if you are skiing with children.